Kicking winter doldrums in Austin

I heart Austin, Texas, the land of cowboy boots, wild bats, BBQ, consistently warm weather, and countless sticky, wood-floored bars that give birth to new rock, country and street bands every midnight (as well as lifelong alcoholics depending on your vantage point). Hosting both the omnipotent music marathon SXSW and the more laid back, finger-licking, beer-soaking sonic fun-in-sun, Austin City Limits, Austin is the American South's solution to music heaven (ever since Dollywood fell through at least). But I'd never seen Austin as its casual, 'blue-jeaned' weekend self, sans chaotic crowds and jam-packed hotels. So I jumped at the chance mid-December to congregate there for Phillips-sponsored Undiscovered Austin.

That weekend, I found myself surrounded by a handful of music bloggers, including Culture Bully and More Cowbell and even Virgin Toronto's Frank Yang, drinking brews on a rooftop of Phillips Sound Lounge, surrounded by flat screen TVs, mp3 playing stations, and view of the sparkling skyline of Austin's downtown in the distance. Why? Evidently, Phillips Electronics is releasing a new device, the MP3 player GoGear and to promote it (and prove they aren't only about coffee makers and toothbrushes), Phillips decided to host a month of concerts and events, showcasing indie bands (hence 'Undiscovered Austin'). We, as tender social music influencers (who? what? where?) were there to partake in its 'grand-finale.' ie: We followed the free food.

The night of December 13th, a gargantuan full moon hung luminous in the sky as crowds fluttered into Austin's Mohawk. First up, the emo-pop group Canvas Waiting lead by songwriter Nathan Medina. Canvas Waiting's pensive, coy indie pop sprawls out somewhere between The Goo Goo Dolls and Ben Folds Five, which it isn't for everyone (and if you know my coverage by now, you know that's not really my jam), but they built a solid crowd. Austin's The Lemurs provided a refreshing contrast, infusing gritty, roguish garage band riffs and brash drumming - though nothing show-stoppingly memorable. The kicker though was Brooklyn power duo Matt & Kim. Let's get it straight: Matt & Kim's tracks are unabashedly simple (at times, the tunes feel like Casio 101...) but that's what makes each song so sickly infectious. Each show feels like cheerleading practice for hipsters - even the most solipsistic souls jump in beat, smile, and scream along. It's uncharacteristically optimistic music coming from the BK (the land of broke artists, who aren't necessarily known for half-glass-full enthusiasm). Plus, while these days I'm seeing more and more female drummers, a lot of the chicks just seem to be a prop (The Coathangers I'm looking at you). But Kim kicks in beats with ferocious energy and boyish (gasp!) bravado - so much you worry she's ODed on expresso... Meanwhile, that night, I envied Matt for his multitasking ability - the dude can sing-scream, tickle the keyboards, and balance one legged on his chair at the same time... By the end of the night (and fourth drink) I felt 15 again (or at least I felt like I blended in with the really young crowd). What better way to kick December doldrums?

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